Meeting Ninette Hartley – Hysteria 2015 Judge

Ninette lives in Italy and has been writing on and off for over forty years; within the last two years she has been writing every day. Ninette enjoys flash fiction, short story writing and script writing.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

There are probably quite a few things that people don’t know about me so it’s difficult to pick one. However, I’m going to go back to my childhood and tell you that when I was about five years old we [the family] went on the little train to the top of Snowdon. It was raining and snowing when we got there so none of the visitors wanted to leave the ticket office and go out into the bad weather. After little encouragement, I entertained them all by singing and dancing. The people in the gift shop gave me a little doll dressed in the Welsh National Costume. I loved that doll. I was a bit of a show off then…and still am!

Are the names of your characters important to you?

Yes the names of the characters I write about are very important to me. The name helps with the process of building the profile, after I have a picture in my head of what the character looks like and where they’re from socially I quickly pick a name.

Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?

I would love Judi Dench to play the part of me in a film. Not only is she a wonderful actress, she is, in my opinion, a lovely person – so double whammy.

What is the single biggest challenge you faced when writing your book?

The biggest challenge I am facing while writing my novel is FINISHING IT! I am 23,0000 words in and enjoying writing it but I seem to have to pay attention to other ongoing writing projects at the same time, not to mention everyday chores, so I am constantly distracted.

What has been the best experience you have ever had in your life?

I have been lucky enough to have many wonderful experiences in my sixty-four years. The best single experience was perhaps being present at the birth of my first grandchild. I have given birth to five children and always wanted to be witness to someone else giving birth. To be with my daughter and help her, along with her husband, through her labour was amazing. It brought us closer together and to share those first moments of my granddaughter’s life – magical.

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Published by Linda Parkinson-Hardman

Transformational coach and founder of the Hysterectomy Association. Professionally I'm an information scientist who specialises in the adoption and engagement of digital technologies. I am a writer and author of nine books to date, and I've edited a further seven; phew what a lot for a Thursday afternoon :-)
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Hi, I’m Linda

Transformational coach and founder of the Hysterectomy Association. Professionally I'm an information scientist who specialises in the adoption and engagement of digital technologies. I am a writer and author of nine books to date, and I've edited a further seven; phew what a lot for a Thursday afternoon :-)